WINEMAKER / Proprietor

YANNICK ROUSSEAU

"Why are my wines different? I bring my French training and approach to winemaking and apply them to the extraordinary single-vineyard terroirs of Northern California. And I’m always thinking about food when I make wines: it is very important for a Frenchman that a wine pairs well with his repas. I like to think my wines are soulful and distinctive, and I hope you will agree with me once you’ve tasted them."

Proprietor

SUSAN BRANUM ROUSSEAU

"When Yannick and I were getting to know each other (late-night dinners, wine and talk), I began to realize how much we shared a common desire to create something meaningful out of this life. And so, with a passion for family, roots, and hard work, I am proud of what we’ve accomplished. Maybe we are a little crazy, but hey, life’s too short to not heed the calling! I love Yannick’s wines, but even more, I love the heart and soul he puts into them."

TASTINGS

SAVOR & EXPLORE

Tasting with the winemaker Yannick Rousseau, by appointment and availability.

Please join our winemaker and proprietor Yannick Rousseau for an insightful and informative wine exploration. Yannick will pour the full line-up of our wines and treat you to savory bites, while sharing the wealth of his winemaking knowledge and quirky, frenchie wine stories.

To request a tasting, please call us at 707-224-8736 or submit the form below, and we will contact you to confirm. Please note that we're closed on Sundays, and we need an advance appointment for other days. We look forward to seeing you at the winery!

Request a Tasting

Request a Tasting

Thank you for your interest in tasting Y. Rousseau Wines with us!

To request a tasting, please submit your information below 48 hours prior to your visit and we will contact you to confirm the appointment. Call us at 707-224-8736 for shorter-notice requests. We won’t share your information with anyone for any purpose. We’ll be happy to see you at Y. Rousseau Wines!

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JOIN OUR WINE CLUB

Our wines are distributed in just a handful of states in the U.S., so our Gascon Wine Club is a way to secure priority access to Y. Rousseau current releases, special deals, and library wines.

The Club is named after the region in France where Yannick Rousseau, our winemaker and owner, was born and raised, and learned to love good food, good wines and good company.

Petit Gascon

Two 6-bottle shipments per year, in March and October;

10% discount on all our wines;

Complimentary tastings at the winery for up to four people;

Complimentary tickets to our new release parties and special pricing on tickets to other winery events and France tours;

Old Vines Colombard

Tannat

Chardonnay

Merlot

Cabernet Sauvignon

Reserve Tannat

Our Story

Y. Rousseau Wines is the realization of a dream that began long ago in the South-West of France and evolved as Yannick Rousseau, French native, founder and winemaker, followed his heart and passion for winemaking.

Gascony ROOTS

Yannick was born in the Gascony region in the South-West of France known for its delicious, rich food, daily wine consumption and impressive longevity of the inhabitants. His life-long journey in wine started when he was 5 years old and drank his first glass of homemade wine with Pépé, his grandpa. Pépé hunted his own food, made his own wine, and was an artisan butcher.

French heritage

The first wine Yannick ever made was Colombard, a white variety native to Gascony. Yannick was then studying for his winemaking degree at Toulouse University and interning in Côtes de Gascogne. Not surprisingly, Colombard became Yannick’s ‘founding wine’ when he established Y. Rousseau Wines in Napa in 2008. Yannick was elated to find older Colombard vines in a small Russian River Valley vineyard. The dry, refreshing Colombard has been one of Yannick's most popular wines since.

Tannat is another wine that Yannick first made in France. He was truly fortunate to work side-by-side with the French Tannat guru Alain Brumont, who enlightened Yannick on the art of blending and a perfectionist approach to winemaking. At Y. Rousseau Wines Yannick now makes not one, but two award-winning Tannats!

DREAMS COME TRUE

In 2008, Yannick and his Texas-born wife and accomplice Susan started Y. Rousseau Wines. Before getting there, Yannick honed his winemaking skills as an assistant winemaker at Newton Vineyards and later as a winemaker at Chateau Potelle Winery.

Yannick hadn't planned to stay in California for a long time when he moved here from France. But he fell in love - first, with Napa Valley terroir and then, with his wife Susan. Together, they have put all their knowledge, experience, and passion in the Y. Rousseau project, crafting small-lot, artisanal wines.

Yannick stays deeply connected to his French roots. He will always remain the son and grandson of a farmer, home winemaker, and country butcher. His down-to-earth, respectful approach to the vineyard is obvious when you taste his wine.

Stay in Touch

Our production is small, and our distribution is limited to a few U.S. states. If you would like to be alerted about our new releases, special offers, and events, leave your name and email address below.